Who Gives A Fish Forums

Planning on setting up a new 15-gallon nano tank, want to get back into marine keeping after a break.

I've had experience with keeping two clowns before, and this time I'm thinking of trying out two ocellaris clowns as juveniles, hoping they'll get along.

Considering adding a black and white cardinal fish, but also thinking about a firefish instead.

Sounds like a great plan, looking forward to seeing it come together. What tank are you going with and how much did it set you back?

orca tl 450's the tank. considering one ocellaris clown, "nemo" - just the one. thinking of a bangai cardinal fish, and a yellow clown goby instead. would that combo keep me stoked?

Marine fish sleep patterns do fascinate me, I've read they can just take short power naps where their brain basically shuts down for a few seconds, yet they seem to gain hours of energy.

I agree, keeping the same species of clown is best - I'm not too keen on pink skunks. Between ocellaris and percula, which do you think would stay the smallest? I'm still drawn to the idea of having two clowns.

I think Bangai cardinals are stunning, but I'm open to other options. You mentioned I could have three fish max, so I'd love to hear your thoughts. I also really like fire fish, dracula gobies, and yellow clown gobies - I know it's not possible to have all of them, unfortunately.

Considering I plan on doing weekly 10-20% water changes, what would you recommend?

I've had my fair share of marine fish, I've got a 29 gallon tank with a Picasso trigger, blue damsel, and a Valentini puffer. Had clowns in the past, but I gotta advise against getting one for your tank, mate. They're super prone to "the spins", a parasite that messes with their balance and it's a death sentence, worst case, it spreads to your other fish. They're amazing to look at, got heaps of character, but trust me, it's not worth the risk.

I think it's worth noting that housing a clown with a triggerfish might've contributed to the issues you experienced. Triggers are notoriously aggressive and really need massive tanks, upwards of 100 gallons, to thrive. In my experience, and from what I've read, clowns are generally pretty hardy once established and can live for years on end.

thinking of upgrading to a 128 liter tank to give my future fish a bit more room to swim.

ive been brainstorming a stocking list and id like to get your thoughts.

im thinking 2 percula or ocellaris clowns, introduced as juveniles so they grow up together.
also considering either a yellow clown goby or a dracula goby.
bangai cardinal is still on the list, theyre just so attractive.
and finally, a purple firefish to add some dynamics to the tank.

Sounds like you've got a solid list there. Good luck with the new setup, hope it all goes smoothly.

Sounds like a solid list to me, all the best with it.

I think the stock sounds good but firtideflow tend to be very skittish if not kept in pairs or groups, so I think you should go with the 128l tank, that's 33g. You could go with 2 clowns, 2 firtideflow, 1 cardinal and 1 clown goby, I think that would be alright.